“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,” Romans 15:5

“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” Ex.34:6 Ps. 86:15 “…longsuffering…” 1 Pet. 3:20 “the longsuffering of God” 2 Pet. 3:9 “longsuffering” James 5:7-8 “Be patient therefore,…” “Be ye also patient;…”

“Self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish” Judgments by God against people came after patience on God’s part. They are not examples of an over-reaction on God’s part.

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Gen. 6:5 Canaanites removed after four centuries - Gen.15:16 Gen destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

 No one can say God is forcing me to do this  God has allowed people to do their own thing  People have ignored God  But God continually gives physical blessings

Acts 14:16-17 "who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 "Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 17:30-31 = all men are to repent God is Patient

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gen. 3:15  Fulfilled when Christ died on the cross  Satan bruised Jesus on the heel  Jesus crushed the head of Satan

Gen. 15:13-16 Israelites stayed in Egypt 400 years “But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” v. 16  God was being patient with the Amorites  His patience came to an end  They would not repent

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God does not want people to be lost Revelation 2 - Church at Thyatira Woman in the church “gave her space to repent” Rev. 2:21

Situation in our society  “Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ”  Terrence McNally  Why did God not destroy the man  Remember Korah in Number 16  The earth opened up and swallowed  Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5 God is patient

First century “Well, where is Christ? He has not come back. He promised to return.” 2 Pet. 3:1-9 Why hasn’t He returned ? God is Patient Delayed the second coming Possibility that some might repent We have had opportunity to obey

7. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8. And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9. And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”

 Keeps this world from coming to an end  God is waiting for someone to obey the gospel  Eventually the patience of God runs out  Don’t say: “I have plenty of time”  Attitude should be: “I am ready to obey” His patience has given us the opportunity to obey.

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16:27

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening Feb. 20, 2011